Disengageable connection for drawbridge girders

ABSTRACT

An automatic locking installation for the disengageable connection of the upper girders of two-partite drawbridges whose bridge parts are adapted to be transported, one disposed above the other, on a carrier vehicle and are adapted to be loaded and unloaded by means of a pivotal boom mounted at the carrier vehicle, whereby locking members are provided pivotally arranged against a spring force which are positively guided by control levers released by spring loaded abutments arranged at the boom and are further influenced by feelers controlled by the position of the associated bridge part.

United States Patent [191 Zaremba [111 3,744,075 July 10, 1973 DISENGAGEABLE CONNECTION FOR DRAWBRIDGE GIRDERS [75] Inventor: Dieter Zaremba,

Stuttgart, Germany [73] Assignee: Firma Dr. Ing. H.c.F. Porsche K.G.,

Stuttgart-Zfifienhausen, Germany [22] Filed: Apr. 19, 1971 21 Appl. No.: 135,220

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Apr. 17, 1970 Germany P 20 [8 476.3

[52] US. Cl. 14/1 [51] Int. Cl E01d 1/00 [58] Field of Search 14/1, 27

[56] References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 3,160,900 12/1964 Sedlacek 14/27 3,386,117 6/1968 Sterner 14/27 3,504,389 4/1970 Longbottom 14/27 X Primary Examiner-Nile C. Byers, Jr. Attorney-Craig, Antonelli & Hill [57] ABSTRACT enced by feelers controlled by the position of the associated bridge part.

15 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures M il'lxl 44 v A T a Q a v I 7/ I41] PATENTED U 1 0 sum 1 0F 2 t w k v E lnremar; I

DIETER ZAREMBA BY Craig, AnlB ellL, Stewanl ATToRmevs DISENGAGEABLE CONNECTION FOR DRAWBRIDGE GIRDERS The present invention relates to an automatic coupling device for a detachable connection of the upper girders of two-partite drawbridges, the structural bridge elements of which are adapted to be transported stacked one on top of the other, on a carrier vehicle and are adapted to be loaded and unloaded by means of an arm or boom pivotally arranged at the carrier vehicle according to the German Published Document 1,658,622, published on Oct. 29, 1970.

The purpose of this invention is a simplification of the connection of the bridge parts with one another of drawbridges adapted to be transported and placed on vehicles and of the installations required therefor in connection with drawbridges of the aforementioned type.

It is already known to provide drawbridges, adapted to be transported on a vehicle, which consist of a number of bridge parts, with a device for loading and unloading the bridge and for connecting the bridge parts with one another (DAS 1,251,787). For the connection of the bridge parts, one bridge element is guided over the other bridge element by means of a chain drive and by way of guide rollers and is lowered over an incline onto the plane of the other bridge part. The lower girders of the bridge parts are thereby guided and held hook-like one within the other in abutment devices. The upper girder mounting is accomplished by means of arms which are provided with guide rollers which roll off between the upper girders of the bridge parts arranged therebelow and which are held together by clamping the guide rollers of one bridge part against the incline of the other bridge part. The thus'connected bridge can be subsequently extended out by means of telescopic arms by the intermediary of carrier rollers and may be lowered down in front of the vehicle. This prior art device requires a very high degree of accuracy as to the size of the guide rollers as well as of the guide tracks relative to each other and a distortion-free construction of the bridge parts and a special shape of the bridge which involves a considerable technical effort and expenditure as regards manufacture.

In a contradistinction thereto, the present invention has the task to provide a simple, engageable and disengageable connecting installation for the upper girder of two-partite drawbridges, in which the connection and disengagement of the upper girders, in avoiding the aforementioned disadvantages, is accomplished automatically in dependence on the mutual position of the bridge parts and of the position thereof in relation to the boom and in which a loading and disengagement of the entire bridge is possible from each bridge end.

The underlying problems are solved according to the invention in that the installation consists of locking members pivotally arranged against a spring force which are positively guided by control levers disengaged by spring-loaded stops or abutments arranged at the boom and which are influenced by feelers controlled by the position of the associated bridge part. The locking members are preferably constructed as T- shaped pivot levers and engage in the locked position into locking notches arranged at the other bridge part. In the locking direction, the locking members are each loaded by a tension spring supported at the one bridge part and arranged perpendicularly to the plane of the bridge; the draw spring thereby engages at the locking member by way of a lever arm non-rotatably connected with the locking member. The locking members, constantly loaded by the force of the tension spring in the direction of their locked position, are brought into their opening end position during loading of the bridge by way of the boom of the transportation vehicle, against the spring force by means of a positive control cooperating with stops arranged thereon and are locked thereat by the locking members coordinated thereto during the separation of the bridge parts. The automatic release of the two bridge parts takes place advantageously by means of the control levers pivotally arranged at one of the bridge parts which are provided with a control cam at the end coordinated to the lokcing members, into which engages a control arm nonrotatably connected with the locking members. The locking members are preferably non-rotatably connected with a safety or securing lever which is lockable in a locking lever operated by a feeler or sensing device inserted into the end face of the one bridge part. At the mutually facing end faces, the bridge parts are further provided alternately with a recess and with a complementary projection whereby the feeler or sensing device for the control of the locking latch extends into the plane of the recess. The forced or positive control of the locking member is also operated for the disengage ment of the bridge parts during the pick-up or loading of the bridge, whereas during the unloading of the bridge, i.e., during the connection of the bridge parts, it remains ineffective since the adjusting movement of the locking member into the locked position is forcibly brought about by means of the draw spring. The arrangement offset in the longitudinal direction of the two stops arranged at both sides of the boom further permits a pick-up or loading of the bridge from its one end or from its other end whereby the two bridge parts are disengaged nonetheless at the same place of the boom. By the association or coordination of a positive mechanical control, operated by means of stops at the boom, to each of the locking members, a connecting and disconnecting of the two bridge parts is possible at a predetermined place of the boom without the help of complicated hydraulic installations and the bridge parts may be further automatically connected with each other or disconnected from each other in the course of the loading or unloading movement without requiring therefore a movement reversal of one of the bridge parts.

These and further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing which shows, for purposes of illustration only, one embodiment of the present invention, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of the mutually facing end faces of a two-partite drawbridge according to the present invention in the coupled condition of the two bridge parts;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view through the connecting device of the drawbridge taken along line lI-II of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross section through the connecting device of the drawbridge taken along line III- II[ of FIG. 1 whereby the feeler and the structural members influenced thereby are illustrated in one plane of the drawing for better explanation and understanding.

Referring now to the drawing wherein like reference numerals are used throughout the various views to designate like parts, and more particularly to FIG. 1, the two bridge parts 1 and 2 of a two-partite drawbridge illustrated and described also in more detail in the aforementioned patent application, include lower girders 4 and upper girders 5 connected with each other by a vertical web 3. Whereas the lower girders 4 form guide rails, in which run support roller pairs 7 and 8 arranged on a boom 6, indicated only schematically, of the transport vehicle (not shown), the upper girders 5 form a track or traffic surface of the bridge. The bridge parts 1 and 2, which are disposed one on top of the other in the transporting position when taken along on the carrier vehicle, are connected or coupled with each other in an aligned utilization position, for which purposes corresponding means are provided at their mutually facing end faces..The connection of the lower girders 4, as described in the aforementioned patent application, is accomplished by means of coupling bolts 11 passing through plates 9 and 10 and is released hydraulically in any conventional manner. For connecting the upper girders 5 with each other, locking members 12 are provided which are pivotally supported in the bridge part on both longitudinal sides of the bridge; the

locking members 12 are constructed as T-shaped swinging or pivot levers (see FIG. 3). In the locked po sition, the locking members 12 engage with their free ends provided with a cross bar 13 behind locking nose portions 14 arranged at the other bridge part 2. The locking members 12 are pivotally supported about a horizontal axis in the bridge part 1 and are stressed in the locking direction by a tension spring 16 engaging with a lower arm 15 non-rotatably connected with the locking member 12; the spring 16 is supported by way of a brcket 17 against the bridge part 1. Since the locking system is constructed in the same manner on each bridge side, only one side will be described hereinafter. A control arm 18 is non-rotatably connected with the locking member 12 to rotate in unison therewith and is in engagement with a control cam generally designated by reference numeral 20 and arranged at a control lever 19. The control lever 19 is pivotally supported about a horizontal axis and laterally at the bridge part 1 by means ofa pivot bearing 21 (FIG. 2) and extends with its lower end 22 (FIG. 1) to the height of the boom 6. On each side and laterally of the boom 6, stops and 26 are pivotally supported about horizontal pivot pins 23 and 24 which, under the effect of compression springs 27 and 28, are urged into engagement with the control lever 19 and which point with their free ends toward the free end of the boom 6. The stops 25 and 26 are constructed as double-arm levers whose shorter lever arm 29 or 30 is traversed by an adjustable stop 31 or 32, respectively, which in its turn, cooperates with an abutment 33, 34 at the boom 6 and which limits the engaging height of the stops 25 and 26 with respect to the control lever 19. The compression springs 27, 28 are supported against abutments 35, 36 at the boom 6. A safety or securing lever 37 which is disposed opposite to the control lever 18, is non-rotatably connected with the locking member 12; The securing lever 37 has an essentially segment-shaped configuration and is provided with a locking or detent recess 38. A pivotal locking lever pivotal about a vertically extending pivot pin 39 arranged laterally of the securing lever 37 and pivoted transversely to the plane of movement of the securing lever 37 cooperates with the latter; the locking lever 40, in turn, is adjustable by means of a lever 42 cooperated with a feeler 41.

The two spring-loaded levers 40 and 42 are thereby pivotably supported by way of the pivot pin 39 having a common axis of rotation. The feeler or sensing member 41 is aligned in the longitudinal direction of the bridge part 1 and extends with its free end into a recess 43 arranged at the end face thereof. At the other bridge part 2, a projection 44 is provided having the same shape as recess 43, i.e., is complementary thereto, which extends into the recess 43 when the bridge parts 1 and 2 are in a position abutting against each other and thereby, on the one hand, adjust the feeler 41 and on the other, centers the bridge parts 1 and 2 with respect to each other. The two stops 25 and 26 are arranged mutually offset in the longitudinal direction of the boom 6, whereby a pick-up or loading of the bridge can be carried out in both directions of travel R. For the disengagement of the bridge parts, the control cam 20 of the control lever 19 is provided on both sides of its base 45 with control cams of differing slopes 46 and 47.

For the disengagement of the two bridge parts 1 and 2 shown in the assembled condition in FIG. 1, the bridge is retracted so far on the boom 6 in the direction of arrow R until the free end 22 of the control lever 19 abuts against the abutment 26. As a result of the further retraction of the bridge, the control lever 19 forces by way of the cam 46 a pivoting motion of the control arm 18 of the swinging motion. The free end of the locking member 12 becomes disengaged from the locking nose portion 14 due to the pivot movement so that the bridge parts 1 and 2 are now uncoupled or disengaged as regards the upper girders 5 thereof. The retention or holding fast of the control lever 19 in the assumed position is assured thereby by the lever 40, the free end of which comes to lie in the locking recess 38 of the securing lever 37. By removing the coupling bolts 11 within the area of the lower girders 4, the bridge parts can be separated from each other. By tilting about the axis of the coupling bolts 11, the projection 44 is thereby disengaged from the recess 43 of the bridge part 1 whereby the feeler 41 is freed with the result that it slides in the direction of arrow R assisted by its compression spring so that a recess or groove 41 of the feeler engages in the lever 42. A release 42' in the connection between the levers 40, 42, i.e., a conventional means enabling relative movement, brings about that the feeler 41 reaches its starting position serving the preparation for a renewed coupling operation. The bridge part 2 is now raised with the aid of support arms (not shown) in such a way that the bridge part 1 can be slid under the other bridge part 2. Thereafter, the support arm is swung back whereby bridge part 2 comes to lie above the bridge part 1. After securely lashing the parts, the bridge is thus transportable. In the described position, the locking member 12, the control lever 19 and the securing members 37 to 42 remain in their assumed-position until the bridge parts 1 and 2 are again connected with each other for the unloading of the bridge.

For connecting the bridge parts, the end faces of the bridge parts 1 and 2 are moved in reversing the movements which caused the same to be positioned one on top of the other as described hereinabove, whereby the projection 44 of the bridge part 2 comes into engagement with the recess 43 of the bridge part 1. In order to enable the engagement, the bridge part 1 is slightly lowered toward the road surface and subsequently raised again. During this operation, the feeler 41 is pressed in a direction opposite the direction of arrow R as shown by overcoming the locking effect between the notch 41' and lever 42. With the thus-released locking effect, the locking member 12 is not pivoted into the closing position under the effect of the tension spring 16 and is automatically held fast thereat. At the same time, the control lever 19 is brought into its vertical starting position by the control arm 18 and is also held fast thereat. During the subsequent unloading of the bridge, the control lever 19 passes the abutments 25 and 26 at the boom 6 in the reverse direction whereby it presses the same down against the effect of the compression springs 27, 28 so that the abutments cannot exert any influence on the position of the control lever 19.

The invention is not limited to the construction of the direct bridge connection. For example, in lieu of the hydraulic locking means for the lower girder connection, a connection without hinge pins may also be selected, for example, in a manner according to the upper girder construction where a projection at one bridge part engages a correspondingly constructed recess of the other bridge part.

While I have shown and described only one embodiment in accordance with the present invention, it is understood that the same is not limited thereto but is susceptible of numerous changes and modifications as known to those skilled in the art, and I therefore do not wish to be limited to the details shown and described herein but intend to cover all such changes and modifications as are encompassed by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An installation for the detachable connection of first and second parts of a multi-partite drawbridge of the type whose bridge parts are transportable on a carrier vehicle with the first and second parts adjacent one another, said first and second parts being unloadable by boom means movably mounted at the carrier vehicle; said installation comprising:

locking member means attached to said first part,

said locking member means being movable between a first locking position corresponding to locking engagement of said locking member means with said second part and a second unlocking position corresponding to disengagement of said locking member means for said second part,

control means including control lever means, said control lever means being operatively engaged with said locking member means, said control lever means being movable between a first control position where said control lever means permits movement of said locking member means to said first locking position and a second control position where said control lever means forces said locking member means to said second unlocking position, and stop means attached to said boom means, said stop means being positioned with respect to said control lever means such that said stop means engage said control lever means to automatically move said control lever means from said first control position to said second control position in response to predetermined relative movement of said boom means and said first part.

2. An installation according to claim 1, further comprising resilient means for constantly forcing said locking member means toward said first locking position, and securing means for automatically retaining said locking member means in said unlocking position when said first and second parts are longitudinally spaced more than a predetermined distance from one another.

3. An installation according to claim 2, further comprising feeler means movably mounted in said first part, said feeler means being engageable with said securing means and said second part such that, upon predetermined movement of said second part in the longitudinal direction toward said first part against said feeler means, said feeler means releases said securing means to permit automatic movement of said locking means to said first locking position.

4. An installation according to claim 1, wherein said locking member means is pivotal about a fixed axis through said first part.

5. An installation according to claim 6 wherein said locking member means includes a transversely extending portion which engages behind locking nose portions of said second part when said second locking position.

6. An installation according to claim 3, wherein said first part includes a longitudinally extending recess open at a free end of said first part, and wherein said second part includes a longitudinally extending protrusion which engages in said recess to align and center said first and second parts with respect to one another when said first and second parts are in position tr be locked together by said locking member means.

7. An installation according to claim 6, wherein said feeler means is constructed as a spring loaded plunger extending in said recess and engageable with said protrusion.

8. An installation according to claim 7, wherein said securing means includes spring loaded locking lever means engageable with said locking member means and said feeler means.

9. An installation according to claim 1, wherein said control lever means includes control cam means which engage control arms non-rotatably connected to said locking member means to effect said movement of said locking member means to said second unlocking position.

10. An installation according to claim 4, wherein said control lever means includes control cam means which engage control arms non-rotatably connected to said locking member means to effect said movement of said locking member means to said second unlocking position.

11. An installation according to claim 10, further comprising resilient means for constantly forcing said locking member means toward said first locking position, and securing means for automatically retaining said locking member means in said second unlocking position when said first and second parts are longitudinally spaced more than a predetermined distance from one another.

12. An installation according to claim 11, further comprising feeler means movably mounted in said first part, said feeler means being engageable with said securing means and said second part such that, upon predetermined movement of said second part in the longiopen at a free end of said first part, and wherein said second part includes a longitudinally extending protrusion which engages in said recess to align and center said first and second parts with respect to one another when said first and second parts are in position to be locked together by said locking member means.

15. An installation according to claim 1, wherein said first and second parts are adapted to be transported one above the other and wherein said boom means is pivotally mounted at the carrier vehicle. 

1. An installation for the detachable connection of first and second parts of a multi-partite drawbridge of the type whose bridge parts are transportable on a carrier vehicle with the first and second parts adjacent one another, said first and second parts being unloadable by boom means movably mounted at the carrier vehicle; said installation comprising: locking member means attached to said first part, said locking member means being movable between a first locking position corresponding to locking engagement of said locking member means with said second part and a second unlocking position corresponding to disengagement of said locking member means from said second part, control means including control lever means, said control lever means being operatively engaged with said locking member means, said control lever means being movable between a first control position where said control lever means permits movement of said locking member means to said first locking position and a second control position where said control lever means forces said locking member means to said second unlocking position, and stop means attached to said boom means, said stop means being positioned with respect to said control lever means such that said stop means engage said control lever means to automatically move said control lever means from said first control position to said second control position in response to predetermined relative movement of said boom means and said first part.
 2. An installation according to claim 1, further comprising resilient means for constantly forcing said locking member means toward said first locking position, and securing means for automatically retaining said locking member means in said second unlocking position when said first and second parts are longitudinally spaced more than a predetermined distance from one another.
 3. An installation according to claim 2, further comprising feeler means movably mounted in said first part, said feeler means being engageable with said securing means and said second part such that, upon predetermined movement of said second part in the longitudinal direction toward said first part against said feeler means, said feeler means releases said securing means to permit automatic movement of said locking means to said first locking position.
 4. An installation according to claim 1, wherein said locking member means is pivotal about a fixed axis through said first part.
 5. An installation according to claim 6, wherein said locking member means includes a transversely extending portion which engages behind locking nose portions of said second part when in said second locking position.
 6. An installation according to claim 3, wherein said first part includes a longitudinally extending recess open at a free end of said first part, and wherein said second part includes a longitudinally extending protrusion which engages in said recess to align and center said first and second parts with respect to one another when said first and second parts are in position To be locked together by said locking member means.
 7. An installation according to claim 6, wherein said feeler means is constructed as a spring loaded plunger extending in said recess and engageable with said protrusion.
 8. An installation according to claim 7, wherein said securing means includes spring loaded locking lever means engageable with said locking member means and said feeler means.
 9. An installation according to claim 1, wherein said control lever means includes control cam means which engage control arms non-rotatably connected to said locking member means to effect said movement of said locking member means to said second unlocking position.
 10. An installation according to claim 4, wherein said control lever means includes control cam means which engage control arms non-rotatably connected to said locking member means to effect said movement of said locking member means to said second unlocking position.
 11. An installation according to claim 10, further comprising resilient means for constantly forcing said locking member means toward said first locking position, and securing means for automatically retaining said locking member means in said second unlocking position when said first and second parts are longitudinally spaced more than a predetermined distance from one another.
 12. An installation according to claim 11, further comprising feeler means movably mounted in said first part, said feeler means being engageable with said securing means and said second part such that, upon predetermined movement of said second part in the longitudinal direction toward said first part against said feeler means, said feeler means releases said securing means to permit automatic movement of said locking means to said first locking position.
 13. An installation according to claim 12, wherein said securing means includes a securing lever means non-rotatably connected to said locking member means, said securing lever means being engageable by a locking lever means actuated by said feeler means.
 14. An installation according to claim 13, wherein said first part includes a longitudinally extending recess open at a free end of said first part, and wherein said second part includes a longitudinally extending protrusion which engages in said recess to align and center said first and second parts with respect to one another when said first and second parts are in position to be locked together by said locking member means.
 15. An installation according to claim 1, wherein said first and second parts are adapted to be transported one above the other and wherein said boom means is pivotally mounted at the carrier vehicle. 